FAIRFIELD, Iowa, Jan. 2, 2013 /PRNewswire-iReach/ -- Dana Farley was a teenager struggling with the stress, anxieties, and social pressures common among so many youth today. She also battled a learning disorder, which created its own acute tensions.

Then in the tenth grade, Dana learned the Transcendental Meditation (TM®) technique and, she says, everything began to change for the better. Her high stress levels dissipated and an "inner contentment" started to pervade her life.

A few months later, Dana attended a presentation in New York City featuring the iconic filmmaker and 35-year meditator David Lynch that spurred her desire to create a documentary— Beyond the Noise—about the TM technique.

That was in 2007. Today, Dana is a student at Bucknell College and has been meditating for five years. "I wanted to make the film because I wanted to bring awareness to the negative things that teens are experiencing—and show how effective TM can be in helping young people overcome stress and develop the clarity of thought and creativity to deal with people and situations in productive ways."

Dana describes her own experiences during and after her TM practice: "My mind and body settle down and I experience the quiet, peaceful, contented part of my inner self—and when I come back to activity, some of that peacefulness and contentedness remains. It not only feels good when I meditate, but it also makes me feel good after I meditate—it helps me feel more comfortable in my own skin. This is an experience we all need to have."

The need is enormous. America's teens are currently facing a wide range of personal and societal pressures in their everyday lives. For example, 20% of teens will experience depression before reaching adulthood, and suicide is the third leading cause of death among youth. And, according to the National Institutes of Mental Health, over 25% of youth aged 13-18 will have a lifetime prevalence of anxiety disorders.

Dana has been at the heart of her generation's struggle. Now, powered with her own personal experiences and a desire to create positive change, Dana is pleased that Beyond the Noise is making its way into her generation's hands—and hearts. The film includes appearances by Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr and Moby speaking on their experiences with the TM technique.

Beyond the Noise is now showing at film festivals and private screenings nationwide. Critics have called it "a moving documentary that demonstrates the transforming effect of the TM technique on teens, and illustrates its implications for the present and future generations."

About the Transcendental Meditation technique

The TM technique is a simple, natural, effortless procedure practiced 20 minutes twice each day while sitting comfortably with the eyes closed. Extensive peer-reviewed research studies have found that TM reduces stress and anxiety, improves learning ability, and promotes wellness.

The TM technique is available in the USA through Maharishi Foundation USA, a federally recognized non-profit educational organization. Through partnerships with other non-profit organizations and foundations, full TM scholarships have been given to more than 250,000 at-risk children, veterans suffering from PTSD, homeless people, and others.